Some Anchoring Questions

[Kruzenvax]

Hi all,

At the end of the last season I have lost my anchor in Botany Bay. A common opinion from people I've asked (including some very helpful people from here) was that I was probably hit a reef structure, for which I need to use a specialised reef anchor . So for this season I have to be better prepared, hence I'd like to ask some questions here:

1) Assuming that I can't use a reef anchor on sand and vice versa my normal anchor on the reef - how do I determine which one to use in the spot I want to anchor at?

2) Does the reef anchor need a chain as well?

3) Do you change the anchor at the end of the chain on the spot or you have 2 rigs (2 ropes, 2 chains, etc)? Don't think I have enough space for 2 rigs in the well. What is the best way to change an anchor - just the D-shackle?

4) All inctruction on now to anchor say "you have to use N x depth", so I need to know I'm letting say 60 or 30 meters of the rope out. How do you guys know how many meters are out - e.g. just experience or you mark the rope somehow?

5) What rope? I have a choice of 100m of 10mm and 100m of 8mm. I'd prefer 8mm - better fit in the well but will the thinner rope cut my hands or so?

Apologies for the big list of questions.

Thanks a lot.

Edited July 14, 2008 by Kruzenvax

[Davemmm]

Theres nothing to stop you using a reef anchor on the sand in most cirumstances. It depends on the size of your boat and the run in the water. A reef anchor holds my boat (4.1 poly) on the sand virtually everywhere except right in the middle of a channel. But, as you have found, a sand anchor gets stuck in the rocks more often than not.

As for changing an anchor its easier to carry a spare anchor and change it at the chain. That way you dont have an extra chain cluttering up your boat. Make sure you have pliers to do up the shackle you dont want it coming loose.

The length of your rope isn't a science you just let it out till the rope is on an angle that looks about right. You can tie your boat up with the anchor not far from the boat in easy running water but if its not holding just let more out till the anchor is lying flatter. I prefer the 10mm rope, its easier on the hands. The anchor supplied on my boat came with a 6mm rope. I may as well have used braid.

Dave

[Dreamtime]

Many questions - many answers!

How big is your boat?

Reef structure - coral or stone?

Of the many anchors and chains I've lost over the years, I now basically only ever use a reef anchor.

You can weld them up youself very cheaply - A piece of gal water pipe and some steel rod. Both diameters depend on what size your boat is.

Chain is a necessary evil, it damages the coral reef, is a pain to store and continually leaves rust stains in your boat. Chain also has a tendancy to get stuck around the reef and sometimes no amount of pulling will remove it.

To compensate for not using chain, I pour lead inside the gal pipe to give it extra weight, which also gets it down quicker. Sometimes we add a little weight being any piece of scrap iron (Hydraulic ram from dozer, etc)

Places where it is difficult to "hold" with the reef anchor, I use a 20kg rice bag filled with sand tied to the anchor line. This is what we call a disposable anchor. When ready to leave just motor away, the bag will break and it's then easy to pull up you anchor line. This method also enables you to use much thinner anchor line. You can do the same with a piece of scrap iron, only difference is that you need to put a "sacrificial" line between the "anchor" and main line. This line breaks when you motor away.

Might sound a bit odd to some, but those methods work fine here for us.

Cheers

[Dorado 2]

Mariner I also have been making my own reef anchors for the past ten years but instead of buying a length of pipe and filling with lead which I use to do, now I buy a length solid round steel and it does the job very well. I have also found that making the prongs shorter, no more than 6-8 inches long the anchor grips at a higher success rate then when they were longer. To be honest I anchor first throw no problem!! Anyhow hope this helps someone I'll post a picture if anyone would like to see it but will have to wait till next week as I'm on my way to Jervis bay tomorrow visit family and a quick fish

Cheers

[Kruzenvax]

OK, thanks a lot for the info. I can make some sonclusions based on it but before that: my boat is 4.60 Quintrex Freedom Sport. Unfortunatelly I have not clue what was the reef structure there - for now I fish Botany and Around; will start going Sydney Harbour the coming season.

Now based on the information kindly provided here I assume:

* 8mm rope maybe too thin - will have to use 10mm

* Reef ancgor is the must - it seems like it may hold OK even on sand - so I assume you gus have it tied to the rope (chain) all the time and use it 1st. If it doesn't hold (and - somehow - you know there's sand below) - you change reef to sand at the chain right on the spot.

* you just release enough rope till you sse the good angle and you feel the boat is steady - no need to measure there.

Mariner, unfortunatelly I can't weld myself so I will have use a COTS reef anchor with chain for now - but the point is taken and if can get a custom made one (also taking Dorados' suggestions onboard) - I will.

Thanks

[Tiger Cam]

Thanks Kruzenvax for asking that question - I lost my anchor on a reef last outing as well! Mine was a slip ring sand anchor which allows you to pull the anchor from either end however, if it's stuck it's stuck! Another way of helping determine whether it's sand or reef below is the fishfinder - if you have one of course. Having said that I am still learning to use mine ....... obviously!!

Regards,

Cam

[Kruzenvax]

You're welcome

I've heard about some "special" anchprs (Sarca???) that couldhold the boat and be retrieved from everywhere.... but didn;t get an impression it's the solution... hence the question here: I think there's all the infor provoded by the fol here (thanks)... but I wouldn't mind more comments

Yes, I've heard that sounder (I have one) can determine the type of bottom... but I'm yet to master this art!

Thanks Kruzenvax for asking that question - I lost my anchor on a reef last outing as well! Mine was a slip ring sand anchor which allows you to pull the anchor from either end however, if it's stuck it's stuck! Another way of helping determine whether it's sand or reef below is the fishfinder - if you have one of course. Having said that I am still learning to use mine ....... obviously!!

Regards,

Cam

[Nolongeramember]

I dont bother with 2 anchors, I only use one sand anchor. Ive got it caught a few times but I persist with getting it out until its out, pulling it in all directions with the boat.

4. Use your own judgement for how much rope to let out. Keep in mind the more you let out the more the anchor will grab, so more is better usually. If your in a strong current and its windy then obviouly you let out more. If your over rock then not so much will be ok and easier to retrieve aswell.

In a big swell or rough sea you need a large amount of rope out to allow for the rise and fall of the boat.

5. I would go 10mm. better on the hands..

One tip if you want your anchor to grab first time every time. Lower it into the water, never throw it. Lower it the way you want it to grab. The rope can be tangled with the anchor if you throw it or if you have the sliding type anchor it can go the wrong way and it will never grab.

[achjimmy]

Some good replies here.

Places where it is difficult to "hold" with the reef anchor, I use a 20kg rice bag filled with sand tied to the anchor line. This is what we call a disposable anchor. When ready to leave just motor away, the bag will break and it's then easy to pull up you anchor line. This method also enables you to use much thinner anchor line. You can do the same with a piece of scrap iron, only difference is that you need to put a "sacrificial" line between the "anchor" and main line. This line breaks when you motor away.

Mariner the rice bag is an excellent idea IMO.

[shefford]

Never lost an anchor yet!

We switch when we are out to sea between sand/reef, but it's most always reef + 4 metres of chain sinks it very fast.

be sure to add a bouy to your anchoring system, just drive it off the reef if it does get stuck.

[slinkymalinky]

Hey Musty... love the cable tie idea. I've lost a couple of anchors when I've been too lazy to change to the reef anchor on really rugged bottom. A reef anchor really is the way to go but if I lost a little sand anchor each year its probably worth it since changing them over is a hassle.

Chain is really important for anchoring regardless of the type of anchor... not jsut because of the weight which keeps the anchor pulling 'along' the bottom insetead of up. But also because it acts as a shock absorber when the boat bounces on the waves. The up and down of the boat will tend to lift the chain rather than pull directly against the anchor (if that makes sense). Less strain/movement on the anchor means its less likely that the anchor will pull or drag when you don't want it too.

Along the same lines... when you anchor and it's a bit choppy get a rubber springer to tie into your anchor line. Not only does it act in the same way as the chain to reduce strain on your anchor... it also makes sitting at anchor in rough conditions much more comfortable by absorbing a lot of the jerks and bounces. I picked one up at Go Fish... its just thick rubber with a loop at each end to tie off to.

Cheers, Slinky